Top Restaurants in Willunga
Where to Eat in Willunga: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Discover the best restaurant in Willunga, Australia including d'Arry's Verandah, The Salopian Inn, The Barn Bistro, Russell’s Pizza, The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill, The Currant Shed, Ekhidna Wines McLaren Vale Cellar Door, Vasarelli's, Carmel's Cafe Bar and Grill, Serafino McLaren Vale
Things to do in Willunga
1. d'Arry's Verandah
Overall Ratings
5 based on 610 reviews
With breathtaking views overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant is the idyllic place for an unforgettable dining experience. Head Chef Peter Reschke draws inspiration from local and seasonal produce to complement the award winning d'Arenberg wines, and a selection of international treats. The extensive range of d'Arenberg wines is available for tasting at cellar door.
Reviewed By amberhadel
It was my partner's 50th birthday so I booked the degustation with wine matching. What appealed especially was that they also do a vegetarian degustation which I hadn't come across before (for me). We've never had a degustation before, it's was a great experience and perfect for a special lunch. The views are amazing, the service was really attentive, the food was pretty fantastic and imaginative, and we both really enjoyed it. Only the souffle was too sweet for us, but otherwise the food was really top notch and memorable. My partner had the wine matching but I was driving so did not. There was quite a lot of wine for him to get through, from throughout their range. You could share the wine pairing, there is sometimes 2 half glasses per dish. Really recommend this for a special lunch. You also get complimentary admission to the cube as a guest of the restaurant. I didn't realise, this was not promoted in my booking email at all that this would be free. My partner saw a sign in the loo telling us that it was free to visit by chance! It would be great to promote that a bit more so people know or we wouldn't have gone in and missed out. Fantastic slow lunch, do go, it's a great afternoon.
2. The Salopian Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Salopian Inn Mclaren Vale reopened with an inspired refit of the 1853 homestead. Contemporary Australian cuisine with regional seasonal menu, home of Heirloom Vineyard wines, exceptional local and international wine cellar with a tantalising list of exotic gin. Opening hours - Wednesday to Sunday Lunch and Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dinner.
Reviewed By BryanF4 - Brisbane, Australia
Yep, it's expensive. Can we park that now? The Salopian Inn never disappoints. The food was as always sensational. The service was personalised, friendly and earthy but polished. I confess to just loving the experience of being able to select my wine from a cellar and have it handled as I request before it's correctly poured in the correct glass. I actually can't wait until next time. In the interests of a complete review; I think they need to fit a simple blind on one of the Western facing windows during Summer evenings. That's all.
3. The Barn Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By Adelaide5000 - Adelaide
Seeking somewhere to celebrate a 79th and 14th birthday with the latter being coeliac is a complicated affair. But the lunch at The Barn ticked all the boxes.
First up, they understand coeliac requirements to avoid cross contaminated gluten free food. Everything was perfect for her. The grandparents were also very happy. And we enjoyed the friendly service and mixture of traditional food and on trend items such a ribs. The food was well executed and delicious.
I first ate at The Barn in the 1970s as a child and then in the 1990s as a newly wed. I’ve never had a poor meal there. We will return.
4. Russell’s Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By folkstyles - Sydney, Australia
Best in winter... but anytime is pretty good.
Go early and eat whole food, locally grown and sometimes biodynamic.
Delicious, simple and Willunga is crazy beautiful.
See the markets on Saturday... dried figs!
Oh and autumn is magic with almond blossoms all around the steiner school.
So good
5. The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill Winery is one of McLaren Vale's most well-known and picturesque dining venues. Celebrating artisan food producers from the region, Chef Tom Boden brings over 20 years of international culinary experience to The Kitchen Door. Creating dishes reflecting the diversity of the region, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch using seasonal produce with a stunning backdrop of vines, grazing sheep and old post rail fences.
Reviewed By MuzzMcQ - Geelong, Australia
We stopped for a late lunch here and didn't book but the staff still found us a seat at a very busy time (Just post Christmas). They had sold out of the Smoked beef rib with cherry sauce sadly so we settled for the steak which was generous in size and literally melted in our mouths. We also had the Zuchinni flowers (very yum) and had the cucumber salad with Goddess Dressing which was probably aptly named as it was heavenly. Staff were very friendly and service just right, not too fast or slow. The red wines here are lovely and the only downside is that you can buy 2 of our favourite Penny's wines at Dan Murphy's for less than you can at the cellar door.
6. The Currant Shed
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Located in a restored 1916 currant drying shed and set amongst a Tahitian lime grove and borded by vineyard, The Currant Shed restaurant serves regionally inspired lunches in a truly relaxed environment.Open Thursday- Tuesday for lunch Kitchen hours 12-3pm.
Reviewed By debtrip255093 - Adelaide, Australia
Have a delightful lunch for 10 people in a beautiful setting. Food and service superb. Our allocated waitress was very attentive and we could not fault our experience here. The only negative was from my 11year old noting the kids menu was limited. I would highly recommend The Current Shed.
7. Ekhidna Wines McLaren Vale Cellar Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
The Ekhidna Wines Restaurant offers one of the most picturesque dining experiences on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Ekhidna Wines Restaurant menu showcases the best of locally-sourced produce and imported international ingredients. Paired with it's award winning hand-crafted wines and beer by Matt Rechner
Reviewed By steven_wilkinson - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
It would be unfair to rate this place properly because at the last minute they closed the restraunt for renovation. It was unplanned.
However we were made to feel welcome and tasted some wines. We then took their recommendation for an alternative restraunt.
I would like to go back and try the food.
8. Vasarelli's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
The cellar door and restaurant are a family owned business owned by Maria and Michael Vasarelli, along with their parents, Pat and Vicky Vasarelli. Set in the heart of McLaren Vale, the Vasarelli's have brought to the public a combination of award winning wines and Italian's love for cooking. With recipes passed down from generations, our cuisine ranges from antipasto platters and classic pasta dishes to all organic meats and the freshest seafood. At the very central of our cooking is the insistence that food be fresh & that our chefs are able to work to their own taste, opening the door to infinite variety.
Reviewed By AilsaMacT - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Popped in here for lunch on our way through McLaren Vale and had a lovely meal. Menu is beautifully short, with some amazing sounding dishes. Highly recommend the duck pate which was just astounding. Fresh pasta for main with a wonderfully fresh sauce and my partner had a huge steak which was well cooked. Service good - attentive but not over bearing.
Will definitely come back and most certainly recommend a visit!
9. Carmel's Cafe Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Carmel's is a unique restaurant located in the heart of the picturesque McLaren Vale. The Restaurant presents an ever-changing menu focusing on flavors to compliment the extensive wine selection from local wineries. The food is modern Australian twist on American style food as well as a wide range of other dishes.
Reviewed By Steve H - Adelaide, Australia
Entree ordered was a simple tomato bruschetta but received a salmon entree ? The bruschetta was dry, old lightly toasted bread with the oil on the plate rather than on the dish plus no red onion like the menu said. The young waitress was lovely and apologised but between the waiting and the chef a poor start. We both ordered the scot fillet @ $40 each and I got the garlic mash potato with seasonal vegetables. The meat was perfectly cooked but the mash had lumps in it plus the vegetables was only some broccolini and nothing else. Seriously no care put into the dish . I wouldn’t visit again.
10. Serafino McLaren Vale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
Head Chef Sarah Contin
Reviewed By allspice502016 - New Westminster, Canada
Another of McLaren Vales great wineryes, the Serafino Winery, nestled in a beautiful tranquil setting, its picturesque grounds boasts a lovely lake, old gum trees restaurant and 4 star accommodation. Their cellar door provided great Syrahs, Grenache and Merlot wines.
